A prayer of approach:
Lord Almighty, the one who calls us, challenges and changes us,
we come to worship, to listen to Scripture,
to sing hymns of faith and glory
and to offer prayers for ourselves and for others. We come to learn, to understand and to celebrate you at work. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
StF 594 Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us.
Lord Jesus Christ,
You have come to us,
You are one with us,
Mary’s Son;
Cleansing our souls from all their sin,
Pouring your love and goodness in;
Jesus, our love for you we sing,
Living Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ,
You have come to us,
Born as one with us,
Mary’s Son;
Led out to die on Calvary,
Risen from death to set us free
Living Lord Jesus, help us see,
You are Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ,
we would come to you,
live my life for you,
Son of God.
All your commands I know are true;
Your many gifts will make me new;
Into my life your power breaks through,
Living Lord.
Bible Readings
2 Thessalonians 1:1-4
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and prayer
3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Luke 19:1-10
Zacchaeus the tax collector
19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’
9 Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’
Prayers:
Prayers of thanksgiving
We praise you, God of grace, for bringing into our lives those who draw us closer to you,
those who speak your words of encouragement,
those who believe in your calling for our lives,
those whose testimonies inspire, excite and move us, and those who reflect your love,
faithfulness and compassion, day by day.
Amen.
Prayers of intercession
Lord, the world is in turmoil.
Our nation is in turmoil.
Your people are in turmoil.
Come, Lord Jesus, surround us with songs of deliverance and bring about change.
We pray for an end to the war in Ukraine. We pray for Gaza and Israel. These are just two countries in the world but many more need your hand.
Come, Lord Jesus, surround with songs of deliverance and bring about change.
Lord, there are many people today lining their pockets at other people’s expense. We pray for all victims of scammers, cheats and fraudsters. We pray for all enduring dark times; for all who can see no way out. May the leaders of your church encourage and build in your name, offering hope where there is none. May your church shine a light on our communities and reach out to all, including those whom society views as unpopular.
Come, Lord Jesus, surround us with songs of deliverance and bring about change.
Lord, when you called to Zacchaeus, he gladly welcomed you to his home. His meeting with you brought about inward and outward change. We pray for change to be wrought in your world, in our nation,
in us your created ones. Come, Lord Jesus, surround us with songs of deliverance and bring about change. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Please use the version that you prefer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
And deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
Now and for ever.
Amen.
Time to reflect:
As you read the passage in 2 Thessalonians imagine Paul writing to you! Would he say “your faith has made such strides, and is growing more and more, the love that every one of you has for each other is also growing. Even though you are being treated badly and are suffering many troubles, but you continue with strength and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Or, are you like Zacchaeus, still wondering who Jesus is, wanting to know more from a safe distance, hiding so that God’s work through Jesus does not enter, / take hold of your life.?
Or are you wondering about your past life and feel that this is a stumbling block to you being accepted by Jesus, or the other people who go to Church. Take a look at Zacchaeus’s background. He was considered a traitor by other Jews because he worked for the Romans. He made himself rich by milking his fellow Jews and taking a cut of the taxes collected. He had reached the top of his profession but was probably the most hated man in Jericho. So, he was very wealthy, but not happy, inevitably he was lonely, for he had chosen a way that made him an outcast. But he had heard of this Jesus who welcomed tax collectors and people who had done wrong things? And he wondered if he would have a word for him but from a distance.
He was determined to see Jesus, and nothing was going to stop him, not the crowds, not his fellow Jew’s, so he ran ahead and climbed the tree, waiting to see Jesus from a distance. It is not Zacchaeus who approaches Jesus but Jesus who approaches Zacchaeus. Do we put ourselves in a place for Jesus to approach us?
Zacchaeus let me be in your life, I am coming to your house, Jesus announced that he would stay the day with him. Zacchaeus discovered that he had a new and wonderful friend which changed his life. Zacchaeus took a momentous decision, he started by giving half of his goods, what he owns to the poor. He showed by what he did after the love of God through Jesus had entered his life he was a changed man. Is this what we are afraid of, that letting Jesus in we will be changed? And what that will mean for us, a leap of faith.
The story ends with these great words,” the Son of Man came to seek and saved the lost. Lost in the New Testament does not mean damned or doomed, it simply means in the wrong place. A person is lost when we wander away from God, and is found when we take our place in God’s family through Jesus Christ our saviour.
Then maybe Paul can boast about us like he does the Thessalonians.
StF 662 – Have you heard God’s voice.
Have you heard God’s voice; has your heart been stirred? Are you still prepared to follow? Have you made a choice to remain and serve, though the way be rough and narrow?
Refrain (except the last time) Will you walk the path that will cost you much and embrace the pain and sorrow? Will you trust in One who entrusts to you the disciples of tomorrow?
Will you use your voice; will you not sit down when the multitudes are silent? Will you make a choice to stand your ground when the crowds are turning violent?
In your city streets will you be God’s heart? Will you listen to the voiceless? Will you stop and eat, and when friendships start, will you share your faith with the faithless?
Will you watch the news with the eyes of faith and believe it could be different? Will you share your views using words of grace? Will you leave a thoughtful imprint?
We will walk the path that will cost us much and embrace the pain and sorrow. We will trust in One who entrusts to us the disciples of tomorrow.
A sending out prayer:
So now we go out with confidence in you;
our loving God who leads us.
You know are weaknesses and our strengths.
Lord call us, guide us, and strengthen us in your service
Amen.
